In reference to the article “ATV public trail use issue tabled” (July 23) I noted that the issue of “unique damage” was cited. As a property owner in the town of Sterling, I am, along with others, experiencing problems attributable to ATV operators.

Though as of yet I have not called any law-enforcement agency, recently a patrolling sheriff spotted me by a trail cleaning up trash discarded by ATV operators. He informed me that “we (the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office) have had numerous complaints” from property owners regarding ATVs. He also added that ATV operators are not to be on the trails but admitted “they are roaming all over!”

Let me be clear - I am not advocating to ban ATVs. But measures must be taken to assist and protect both property owners and other recreational users.

Last week, I attended a meeting in Auburn in which the ATV issue was also discussed. I brought a bag of trash as proof. Besides the trashing going on turtles, frogs, toads, little birds, snakes along with delicate plant life has - and continues to be - squashed on and off the trails. Without my permission, additional trails have been cut through my property from the main trail.

And unlike snowmobile operators who drive on hard frozen trails, ATVs zip along on wet, muddy trails, causing damage. At this meeting, a sizable number of ATV supporters showed up. Sensing that our county representatives will be sympathetic to ATVs, I proposed that such conditions be established: ATV operators wanting to ride on the trails must be within a club which can control them and ATVs be licensed, trained, insured and regulated by law-enforcement as are snowmobile operators.

However, I was informed that this cannot be done and to call the police in case of any violators. Realistically speaking, by the time some officer arrives, the ATV operators are long gone. And as of date, I have only seen one or two license plates on ATVs.

Are they not to be licensed as well? Lastly, under no circumstances should Cayuga County taxpayer money be utilized for licensing and insuring ATV operators as some are proposing.

And, any trail damage created by ATVs must be repaired solely with their expenses.

As with the snowmobiles, ATVs must assume more responsibility.

Orest M. Logusz

Sterling